RE: InDesign woes

["Jessica Weissman" <Jessica -dot- Weissman -at- hillcrestlabs -dot- com>]

InDesign is based in part on linking and flowing things.  Each chunk can
be linked to the next chunk.  Sometimes you need to make a break between
chunks so this flow doesn't go too far.  You also have to set up
graphics so text flows around them OR so that they stick with the most
closely related paragraph.  Perhaps the original designer didn't do
that, or didn't do it in a way that makes sense and works right.

I inherited an InDesign document created from one of my Word docs by a
graphic designer.  He didn't put in real breaks between chapters, so
stuff flowed on forever.  We got a real Indesign expert in who broke
flows and put in hard page breaks and such to make things work better.
Note to experts:  I'm probably putting this wrong, and he didn't just go
in and hack.  I'd been trying the hacking approach, which did not work.
The guy actually rationalized the design, for which I am forever
grateful.

I believe that if the document had been designed from the beginning for
easy update by someone familiar with InDesign and maintainability (i.e.,
if Indesign were being used as intended) the problems would never have
been so bad.  

I ended up working through a couple of InDesign books and now hate the
program less.

Maybe I can persuade the company to buy InDesign 3, as we work in the
evidently lamer InDesign 2.

-  Jessica


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or 
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007 
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList

True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- 

To unsubscribe send a blank email to 
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archive%40web.techwr-l.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-  Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.